Alcohol sales could expand at U of M

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) After a season of liquor sales at TCF Bank Stadium, a state lawmaker wants to allow hockey and basketball fans at the University of Minnesota to buy beer and wine.

Rep. Dan Schoen, a Democrat from suburban St. Paul, introduced a bill Thursday that would extend alcohol sales to Mariucci and Williams arenas. The Legislature passed a bill allowing alcohol sales at the Gopher's football stadium last year. Schoen says the football game alcohol sales proved "Armageddon did not happen" and booze could be monitored.

Currently, only fans in premium seating can buy alcohol at the arenas where the school's hockey and basketball teams play.

The university pulled in more than $900,000 in liquor sales from seven home games last season. The profits went to the university's athletic department.